Capitol Notes February 13 – 17, 2012

The top legislative priority for the Alaska Chamber during the 2012 session is oil tax reform. Senate leaders introduced SB 192 this week as an alternative oil tax reform bill.

The good news is that the Senate is talking about oil tax reform. Meaningful reform will make Alaska competitive in the national and global markets and Alaska will begin the hard work filling Alaska’s pipeline.

This week the Alaska Support Industry Alliance hosted a one-day seminar for members with Pedro van Meurs, Consultant to the Alaska State Legislature on World Rating of Oil & Gas Terms. Mr. Van Meurs presentation is available on the Alliance website under Hot Topics!

This presentation and its recommendations will be presented by Mr. Van Meurs at joint Senate Finance and Resources Committee hearings on Monday and Tuesday in Juneau at 9:00am and 1:00pm both days (See Committee Schedule below). Plan to tune in or watch the presentation as his recommendations are sure to be the topic of much conversation for the remainder of session as we push to make Alaska competitive.

Capitol City Parking Improvements

Headed to Juneau? Downtown Juneau’s parking has changed. Know before you go where you can park. Click here for information about parking downtown Juneau. Thanks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce for providing this information!

Committee Schedule

The following list of committee meetings addresses issues and bills important to Alaska Chamber members for the upcoming week.

For a complete list of bills visit the BASISweb site. Most of these meetings are teleconferenced. The legislature also started to stream all committee meetings in the capitol. You can check it out at http://alaskalegislature.tv/ .

If you would like to testify, it is best if you go through your local LIO office. If you are unable to go through your local LIO office, you must call the Chair of the Committee in which the bill is being heard for "authorization" and get off-net call in number.